Asian

Sometimes, the urge to have Asian food strikes, and nothing satisfies until you get it. When that happens, count on 10Best to point you in the direction of Orange County's best Asian restaurants. We understand the desire to have a great meal, and we work hard to bring you the top places to eat in Orange County. We vet restaurants carefully for quality, and when we recommend popular eateries like Thai Bros or tell you that Thai Nakorn Restaurant gets good reader feedback, you can believe it. We'll make sure you get - and eat - what's best.

This casual eatery is known all over Orange County for its superb dim sum, unparalleled Kung Pao frog legs, and charbroiled seafood. Huge in-house tanks provide temporary housing for a bevy of jumbo shrimp and lobsters, ensuring that your meal is, indeed, fresh-caught. Reasonable prices make it an ideal lunch and early-dinner destination, especially with savvy members of the business crowd.

This casual eatery is known all over Orange County for its superb dim sum, unparalleled Kung Pao frog legs, and charbroiled seafood. Huge in-house tanks provide temporary housing for a bevy of jumbo shrimp and lobsters, ensuring that your meal... Read More

With a house specialty like barbecued chopped catfish and curries that have set more than a few mouths ablaze, this casual Thai eatery is not for the faint of heart. Boasting a diverse menu that's decidedly not your standard Americanized Thai fare, Nakorn places little emphasis on smoke and mirrors. Instead of kitschy decor or overworked standards, all you'll find is good, homestyle Southeast Asian cookery. And what more could you really want?

With a house specialty like barbecued chopped catfish and curries that have set more than a few mouths ablaze, this casual Thai eatery is not for the faint of heart. Boasting a diverse menu that's decidedly not your standard Americanized Thai... Read More

One of the area's more popular Japanese restaurants, Taiko earns high marks for terrific food, quick and friendly service, and reasonable prices. Perhaps the restaurant's best perk, though, is that you can sidle up to the sushi bar and have rolls made to suit your taste. House specialties include sesame chicken, a tempura and sashimi combination plate, and roast salmon cheeks.

One of the area's more popular Japanese restaurants, Taiko earns high marks for terrific food, quick and friendly service, and reasonable prices. Perhaps the restaurant's best perk, though, is that you can sidle up to the sushi bar and have... Read More

Folks in the know unabashedly proclaim this Laguna Beach treasure as one of Southern California's top Thai joints, and it attracts big crowds for weekday lunches and late-night weekend dinners. If you're looking for a quick bite between meetings, this is definitely the place to frequent; however, if you're looking for a leisurely meal, you might think twice, because the kitchen and waitstaff can have you in and out the door faster than you can say "drunken rice."

Folks in the know unabashedly proclaim this Laguna Beach treasure as one of Southern California's top Thai joints, and it attracts big crowds for weekday lunches and late-night weekend dinners. If you're looking for a quick bite between... Read More

A regal contender for the title of "OC's Top Thai," Royal Thai wins high praise for its elegant setting and exotic fare. The waitstaff, professional and attentive, eagerly point out favorites, and the menu boasts no shortage of them. Choose from meat and seafood options – tofu or calamari, scallops or pork? – and select from any number of sides. You'll also want to try Kang Khiao Wann (green curry with bamboo shoots and eggplant), Hot Thai Basil (with bell peppers and mushrooms), or Panang (red curry with carrots and bell pepper). Options are many, and it's safe to say that you can come here 100 times and never have the same thing twice. The Newport Beach location can be found at 4001 West PCH (949-645-8424).

A regal contender for the title of "OC's Top Thai," Royal Thai wins high praise for its elegant setting and exotic fare. The waitstaff, professional and attentive, eagerly point out favorites, and the menu boasts no shortage of them. Choose from... Read More

Sleek, elegant Bluefin is a minimalist's dream, composed of straight lines, intersecting planes, and the contrast of dark and light. The interior is a lovely complement to the clean, unadulterated flavors of chef Takashi Abe's fare. Beautifully composed and perfectly prepared, each dish is a revelation of flavor and culinary consideration. Start with steamed abalone or sashimi soup, and then enjoy grilled salmon, seafood tempura, or a range of sushi offerings. The latter are invariably fresh and make for delectable dining, as does the lunchtime omakase, a multi-course, chef-created meal.

Sleek, elegant Bluefin is a minimalist's dream, composed of straight lines, intersecting planes, and the contrast of dark and light. The interior is a lovely complement to the clean, unadulterated flavors of chef Takashi Abe's fare. Beautifully... Read More